The Commission formulates proposals for "modernising" national welfare systems. It calls, in particular, for an increase in "social investment".

cepPolicyBrief

The Commission's call for the welfare systems of the Member States to be reformed is appropriate and important because demographic changes will place huge pressure on the long-term financing of the welfare systems in all Member States. The individual measures are, however, largely ill-conceived: thus defining and monitoring the "adequacy of income support" is the responsibility of the Member States - not the Commission. Strong EU support for socio-political measures will allow the EU's ideas of the "right" social policy to override national ideas. The Commission is thus increasingly encroaching upon the competence of the Member States.